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Hamilton's Murray's Farm Butcher Shoppe anniversary celebration

Murray's Farm Butcher Shoppe has heritage chickens, not used in large-scale commercial farming, which are pasture-raised and offer a variety of egg shell colours.

Rita DeMontis

Published: February 13, 2019 - 8:47 AM

When Murray Thunberg opened the doors to his first bricks and mortar shop a year ago, he had no idea the impact his food emporium would have on his community. What a difference year makes.

Today, Murray’s Farm Butcher Shoppe, with its wealth of locally sourced and produced items and heritage foods, has become a neighbourhood institution, with customers coming from all parts of southern Ontario. Thunberg plans on celebrating the one-year milestone with one of the best parties ever this Feb. 16 with prizes, discounts and samples. There’s more, of course, and everyone’s invited, starting at 9 a.m. until doors close at 6 p.m.

“We are Hamilton’s only farmer-owned butcher shop, and are grateful for the support from the local community and beyond,” says Thunberg. “We’re proud to be providing premium products, at fair prices, that are more nutritious, with complete transparency as to how they are raised and processed. Beyond that, the flavour speaks for itself.”

Murray’s Farm is renowned for being a pioneer in local farming, and Thunberg raises registered herds of British Saddleback and Gloucestershire Old Spot breeds of pigs, sought after by some of Canada’s best restaurants, along with Hereford, Tamworth and Berkshire breeds, all raised on pasture and fed a diet free from corn, soy or any GMO ingredients.

The farm is also home to heritage chickens, not used in large-scale commercial farming — pasture-raised, allowed to roam free and peck, with shell colours that range from rich chocolate brown to vibrant blue and green. These eggs are now available in over 70 stores in the GTA and Golden Horseshoe.